By Jim Basara - GJD
Carr Amplifiers Introduces the Raleigh: Popular boutique amp ace Steve Carr
was showing off is new model called the Raleigh. It is a compact combo, 3 watt model that packs eye-widening tone and plenty of gain. We got a chance to take the Raleigh for a test drive and it was very impressive indeed for such a small package, producing classic blackface tones to thick, sustained overdrive. This is a great amp for anyone who wants an awesome sounding practice amp or a small amp for the studio. The features are as follows:

The pricing starts at $1250 (list) for the black cabinet version and
goes to $1350 for color front panels. Hardwood front panels are
available at $1500.

Peavey ReValver MKIII: Peavey has released the ReValver MKIII amp-modeling software. The
ReValver Mk III is a revolutionary 64-bit amplifier modeling software
that captures the true characteristics of vacuum tubes while allowing
users unprecedented control over their tonality and gain structures.
The software models 15 of the world's most popular guitar amplifiers,
including several Peavey amps, through an exclusive algorithm that
analyzes the interactions of the components on the circuit level, based
on the amps' original schematics.
Peavey asserts that by controlling
these amplifier models from the component level, ReValver is able to
model every nuance with amazing accuracy, creating totally new
capabilities where adventurous players can design their ultimate custom
amps and speaker systems.

What I found most impressive about the software was the unbelievable
amount of customization available. For amp-heads, this package
provides more control than one can possibly conceive. The software
allows the user to "tweak" the entire amp design, including being able
to swap out specific tubes and even design your own amp circuit.

Peavey Launches New VYPYR Modeling Guitar Amplifiers: Also at NAMM, Peavey was showing off its new line of VYPYR Series
modeling guitar amplifiers, which it claims is the most technologically
advanced and affordable guitar modeling amplifiers available.

The new amps feature 24 channel models, both the clean and distorted
channels of 12 popular amps, plus 11 editable preamp "stomp box"
effects and 11 editable post-amp "rack" effects with dual-parameter
control. Players can use up to five effects simultaneously. When used
with the optional Peavey SanperaTM foot controller, the possibilities
further expand from 12 in-amp presets to 400 programmable presets, with
an on-board looper and more. What we found particularly cool about the
presets is that you can dial up a preset and then, using the
footswitch, drop out just one of the effects, like the distortion.

The new amps are the first to be based upon a 32-bit, floating-point
SHARC processors that enable more advanced and intensive processing.

We gave the amps a short test drive and they sound great. They are
available in solid state and, for those who fear giving up tone for amp
modeling, they are available in tube models also.

There are loads of other features that will interest any guitar player considering a modeling amp for live or the studio.